Vladimir Putin made his first appearance
on the world stage
since the attempted insurrection
by Wagner mercenaries two weeks ago.
He used his virtual address
at the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization Summit
to thank the Russian allies in attendance
for backing him
But I see
the Russian people are consolidated
as never before.
The solidarity
and high responsibility
for the fate of the Fatherland
was clearly demonstrated
by Russian political circles
and the entire society by coming out
as a united front
against the attempted armed rebellion
that Sebastian's been tracking
that summit for us.
This is all part of his effort
to show he's in control of everything.
It's been happening recently.
Yeah, this is part of what we've seen
the president out
and about a lot over the last ten days
or so since we saw the insurrection.
The Russian people,
he said, more consolidated
more united than ever.
It was a united front against the mutiny.
I think the audience of
this is not just the Russian people,
of course, to show
that he's still in charge,
but the globe will stage,
and in particular,
this grouping made up of a of key
Russian allies
who have not condemned its war
in Ukraine.
Very important for Putin right now.
To make sure that they don't think
that Russia is on the verge of collapse.
He needs these alliances, in particular
for economic reasons.
Now more than ever, China and India.
Don't forget
some of the key customers now
for Russia's oil,
oil that has been displaced
as a result of this war and sanctions
from former European customers.
Russia's oil revenue, by the way, Max,
oil and gas revenues
in the first five months of this year
was half what it was the previous year.
So I think you can tell from that
why these economic relationships
are now so important.
Russia, of course,
also spending a lot more on defense
than it's used to.
But the idea that the image
that Putin wants to show the world
that they have failed to isolate Russia
as a result of the invasion of Ukraine,
that is bearing out.
This is a grouping already 40%
of the world's population
that is expanding
Iran's flag was raised in Beijing today
to mark its accession to the Shanghai
Cooperation Agreement.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization,
Belarus took another step towards
joining a grouping
that Russia already sees
as a counterpoint
to Western influence
now now being repopulated again
with Russian allies.
Mark Stewart joins us now.
Mark, a key moment
for Putin among key
allies, those that haven't
condemned the war in Ukraine
and increasingly important trade
partners, too.
But I would also argue
a delicate balancing act
for the likes of Xi Jinping of China,
also Prime Minister
Modi of India, too, having
just been quoted in the United States.
Friends, but not too friendly
Mm hmm.
Balancing act. Another.
Another phrase that we've been using
in our reporting
today, Juliet,
has been a complex backdrop.
I mean, all of these nations, China, India,
Russia, they all certainly want to show
their strength,
particularly toward the West,
to show
that they have some political muscle.
Yet there is this there is this line
where, you know,
they can't push things too much
because there is some dependance
or some need to have somewhat
cordial, for lack of better words,
discussions with the West.
I mean, you mentioned China
and Xi Jinping
I mean, right
now, China,
as we both know
as students of China,
China is facing a very precarious
economic situation.
So it is leaning on the West
it is getting ready
for a visit by Treasury Secretary
Janet Yellen.
Yet it's also not directly condemning
Russia.
It's trying to figure out,
for lack of better words, the sweet spot
President Xi or Chinese Leader
Xi did address
the organization
during its opening meeting today.
Let me just share with you
some of the phrasing that was used,
because I think
that also proves an important point.
She said today the world is full of chaos
and changes
unseen in a century are accelerating.
Human society is facing
unprecedented challenges.
Unity or division
peace or conflict,
cooperation or confrontation.
A series of rhetorical questions
to basically
bring up this broader point of the need
for win win cooperation, if you will.
Despite all of these statements, though,
there is no question
that China is going to be very resolute
in its approach to all of this.
Russia,
China and Russia
are two of the organizers
to the nations,
along with former Soviet republics.
That formed this
CEO alliance, this
Shanghai Cooperative Organization.
So expect them to stay to script.
But to go back to this phrase.
Julie has you brought up before.
Balancing act.
It's just a political necessity
in this current global landscape.
Absolutely.
And we're just
showing images
actually of when they got together
back in 2019 easier to perhaps enact
that delicate balancing act virtually
rather than in person.
Mark Stewart thank you for that.